It is not uncommon for traffic accidents involving multiple vehicles to cause injuries. Only one driver may be responsible for a multi-vehicle crash, or more than one motorist could have contributed to a collision. Sometimes, multiple motorists may be found to be at fault. In other cases, only one or two drivers may be held accountable for the accident.

There are various causes of multiple-vehicle traffic accidents. Adverse weather conditions can impact a motorist’s visibility. Sometimes bad road conditions or a distracted driver can cause an accident and create a pileup.

If you aren’t sure how your insurer determined responsibility in your multiple car crash, you should speak to an Alabama auto accident attorney to help establish fault. Serious injuries and damage can result from a multiple car accident, and you will want to receive just compensation for your losses.

It can be complex to determine fault, particularly when multiple vehicles are involved in a crash. You will require strong evidence to prove responsibility in a multiple automobile accident. Thus, you will need an experienced, skilled, and committed lawyer by your side.

Multiple Defendants

Each party involved in a personal injury case involving multiple vehicles can be assigned a percentage of responsibility. Often, this necessitates that the injured party brings a personal injury action against multiple parties. For instance, if you sustained injuries in a crash for which one motorist was found to be 30 percent at fault and another motorist was determined to be 70 percent at fault, you may need to file a case against each of the other two drivers.

Assigning Fault in a Multiple Vehicle Car Crash

A multi-vehicle crash’s responsibility will likely fall on the driver who failed to uphold the duty of care to ensure surrounding drivers remain safe, causing a pileup. The driver liable for initiating a domino effect may be obvious, but this is not always the case. The circumstances of every multiple car collision are unique. Therefore, investigators will likely need to undertake a comprehensive breakdown of what occurred to provide a fair decision to all affected parties.

In multi-car accidents, the drivers involved in the collision may point fingers at the individual they blame for starting the crash but not admit to any fault on their part. Witnesses and other motorists might believe that the driver who started the chain reaction is responsible for the entire accident. However, this may not be true. It is rarely that straightforward to determine responsibility in massive multiple vehicle collisions.

The Presence of Witnesses

In such cases, witnesses who were not a part of the accident are vital. Generally, they are impartial observers who will likely base their testimony on exactly what they witnessed. Motorists involved in the crash have a vested interest in refusing to accept responsibility. They may think that the driver who started the accident is to blame for everything that occurred due to their recklessness. It is certainly possible that multiple motorists were not at fault in a multi-vehicle crash.

When several witnesses validate each other, this strengthens a case that might otherwise be challenging to work through. Getting bystanders involved after a multiple car accident is imperative. Note down their names and contact details, as witnesses can provide important information on the accident.

It is absolutely essential to call law enforcement to the site to file an accident report, which will include vital details for assigning fault later. Police will assess the facts as well as take photos and review camera footage (if available). In all likelihood, the police report will contain a plethora of evidence to review that could determine blame in a multiple vehicle car crash.

Factors to Consider When Establishing Fault

Various factors determine the calculation of liabilities of involved parties in a multi-vehicle car crash, including:

• Were any of the motorists driving above the posted speed limit?
• Did all of the motorists have functioning brake lights or other indicators?
• Were any of the motorists tailing too closely, as dictated by state-recommended motorist safety regulations?
• Did any of the motorists engage in distracted driving behaviors, such as texting?
• Was their appropriate signage on the road to indicate an abrupt stop or reduction in speed?
• Were there any obstacles, such as debris, on the road that caused a car to suddenly halt?

Legal Help from Skilled Auto Accident Lawyers in Alabama

If you or someone you love has sustained injuries in a multi-vehicle crash, it is best to seek help from a skilled and knowledgeable car accident attorney. At Weaver Tidmore, our attorneys have in-depth experience handling all kinds of vehicle accident claims. We will help you navigate the claims process, negotiate, and correspond with all relevant insurers to ensure that you recover the rightful compensation that you deserve. For a free consultation and case assessment with one of our attorneys, call today at 205-980-6065.